The guys in The Tailgate Show had two of the main men from the Strikers FO in the Kudio as guests last night, CEO Sean Guerin and Managing Director Luis Cuccatti, to answer whatever questions that the cast of characters in attendance could throw at them. It was an amusing, interesting and informative 2 hours. These 2 gentlemen brought a considerable supply of liquid refreshment to what is already a very well stocked home bar. Consequently, although the 2 guests were still able to walk the straight and narrow the genial hosts and others in attendance were not in the best of shape by shows end. I can also verify that after they left we paid them the compliment of insuring their generous gifts did not go to waste to the point that several of us were TOFU before the evening ended. Thank you Sean and Luis for a memorable, in several ways, evening.... www.blogtalkradio.com/954tailgate/2016/01/08/the-tailgate-show-s5e44-luis-cuccatti
http://www.nasl.com/news/2016/01/12/klberson-ready-to-renew-career-in-fort-Lauderdale Kléberson Is Ready To Renew Career In Fort Lauderdale The Brazilian midfielder spent almost all of 2015 on the sidelines with a serious injury Matthew Levine (@NASLInsider} | Jan 12, 2016
Strikers@FTLStrikers 13h13 hours ago We've got big news and you're invited to hear it. 11 am at @GulfstreamPark Sport of Kings Theatre
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (Friday, January 22, 2016) – The Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Brazilian-based beverage company Guaraviton today announced a multi-year partnership that includes the Guaraviton logo featured on the front of the Strikers uniforms. The front-of-jersey sponsorship is the first in club history. Guaraviton’s logo will be present on the front of Strikers primary and alternate kits, and practice jerseys. “The announcement of this partnership is an historic moment for the Strikers,” said Managing Director Luis Cuccatti. “Both of our brands share the same objectives and are taking the right steps to dominate and expand in our markets. The magnitude of this partnership is a testament to our growth as a club and speaks volumes to the Strikers global ambitions.” Based in Rio de Janiero, Guaraviton is a producer of natural drinks and the leader in guarana beverages. The beverage is a revitalizing, non-carbonated energy drink made from all natural extracts including guarana, açaí, and ginseng. Guaraviton will use the partnership with the Strikers to introduce its products to the United States. The partnership will also further enhance the Strikers brand in Brazil. The club will have advertising field boards at the Rio Soccer Championship and at Brazil’s Série B Championship. Per the agreement, Guaraviton has the right to create, distribute, and sell a co-branded Strikers/Guaraviton energy drink, which will be sold in Rio de Janeiro. The company also has the right to sell co-branded Strikers jerseys in the Brazilian city. http://www.strikers.com/news/2016/0...onsor-in-multi-year-partnership-with-strikers
I know we have used the all black shirts in the tournament so far... but I am wondering about the others on display (although I am a fan of the way they were modeled...)
I think we were told on "The Tailgate Show" that the alternate/road jersey would be black & grey hoops imitating the home/primary jerseys red & yellow hoops. We'll see soon enough. BTW, this is not the 1st time the team has had a front shirt sponsor. They has WINN DIXIE there during the late 1980s.
http://sbisoccer.com/2016/02/strikers-looking-to-set-new-standard-as-club-pushes-internationally Next up for the Strikers is a trip to China, which will see the team go abroad from Feb. 28 to March 12. While there, the club will train in four cities and play several friendlies. In addition, the club will work with owner Ronaldo’s R9 academy to stage a series of tryouts to add a Chinese player to the club’s roster. “This is an American company owned by Brazilians,” Cuccatti said, “and we see the Strikers U.S. as our headquarters. We’re looking to expand that, expand to markets where we do have things in place and can do some good things there. There are markets where Ronaldo has opened doors with the R9 academy and we are coming behind with the Strikers, like in China and India. Those are markets that we want to play a role in and are markets, like China now, spending a lot of money on soccer, and you need to be visible and relevant in those markets. “Those are the things that you need to do beyond the NASL,” he added. “We need more people talking about the NASL and making the league relevant, because every time that you do that the team increases in value.”
MATHEUS CARVALHO BRINGS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE EXPERIENCE TO STRIKERS Promising 23-year-old bolsters attack following spells with AS Monaco, Fluminense A big addition to the Fort Lauderdale Strikers attacking corps was made Monday as the club announced the signing of 23-year-old forward Matheus Carvalho. Matheus, who goes by his first name, most recently suited up for AS Monaco in Ligue 1, the top flight of French football. He featured in both legs of the club’s 2014-15 Champions League quarterfinal matches against the competition’s eventual finalists, Juventus. “We want to attract top prospects to the club, and Matheus Carvalho brings top quality experience from European football,” head coach and general manager Caio Zanardi said. “Matheus is a modern forward: fast, versatile, dangerous in the box. He adds further attacking flair to the roster, and knows how to score goals.” A former youth international, Matheus played alongside current Brazil and Barcelona star Neymar. In 2007, Matheus scored the goal that gave Brazil the South American Under-15 Football Championship. Last season, Matheus made eight league appearances for Monaco after joining the club on loan during the winter transfer window. Playing in the attack alongside the likes of current and former Premier League stars Anthony Martial and Dimitar Berbatov, Matheus scored one league goal for Monaco, notching the second tally in a 3-0 win over S.C. Bastia in March. Matheus helped Monaco achieve a third-place finish in the 2014-15 campaign, earning qualification to the UEFA Champions League third qualifying round. “The class of players the new Strikers regime has been able to attract is becoming even more evident with recent signings,” managing director Luis Cuccatti said. “The technical staff has done tremendous work to secure the signature of Matheus and we are confident he will be a real asset to the club.” Despite his youth, Matheus has already enjoyed winning the Série A with Fluminense in 2010 and 2012. He has also been Campeonato Carioca champion in 2012 as well as the Copa Catarina in 2013. The Brazilian will link up with his new side for preseason training immediately. Having watched the Strikers play in the Florida Cup, the left-footed speedster is eager to add further international experience he has gained playing in Europe and make an impact with the Strikers. http://www.strikers.com/news/2016/0...rings-champions-league-experience-to-strikers Impressive!
http://sbisoccer.com/2016/02/sbi-sp...to-birth-country-following-17-years-in-brazil By competing with the Strikers, Felipe will be given an opportunity to do something he has yet to do. Stationed in Brazil throughout his career, Felipe has never played in front of his extended family in the U.S., something he plans to do when the Strikers take on the New York Cosmos, who play just a few miles from his birthplace of Mineola. Having realized his dream of making the United States home again, Felipe has a more simple goal in mind as he works his way toward his first NASL season. “I just want to play in the most games that I can. No more injuries,” Felipe said. “Just playing and scoring and being a champion. That’s what I want for this year. We have a very good team here and I can see that we can be champions.”
http://www.strikers.com/news/2016/02/16/strikers-sign-haiti-national-team-star-jean-alexandre STRIKERS SIGN HAITI NATIONAL TEAM STAR JEAN ALEXANDRE Three-time Gold Cup participant grew up in Delray Beach, played for Lynn University Feb 16, 2016
I'm watching Che Tempo Che Fa a talk show with Fabio Fazio from Milan and they are interviewing Ronaldo. He is talking about how soccer in the USA has grown and how he is excited about owning the Strikers. Video Rai.TV - Che tempo che fa 2015-2016 - Ronaldo ...
The Strikers are opening a "Strikers store" in Sawgrass Mills. They will be introducing the 2016 season uniforms to the media at that store when they are scheduled to arrive from the manufacturer on 03/15/2016. They will be introduced to the fans/public at an Official Launch Party on 03/27 or 03/28. Location, date and time to be announced later. There will be an open "Town Hall" meeting during the week of 03/14 to 03/18 after the team returns from China. As ever, date, time and location to be announced later. The team is to play at Lockhart at least through the 2016 season. The City of Ft Lauderdale is evidently waiting for Schlitterbahn to finish their due diligence before doing much to improve the stadium. It is unlikely any repairs or upgrades will be done this year. The team does have a plan B in place if the Schlitterbahn deal falls through. Guaraviton and the Strikers have a 3 year deal. They will be the front jersey sponsor. There are currently 24 players on the roster and expected to reach 26 by season start. The team has reached the 7 international player allotment. The U23 NPSL team has 10 players signed with 2 more open tryouts planned. All home games to be played at Lockhart on Wednesday nights at 7 PM. First game to be in May vs Miami United. More info to follow.
Here is the "more info" as promised... www.midfieldpress.com Look for ""State of the Strikers" February Presser by The Tailgate Shows Matt Abby. Matt took notes at a Strikers media info event a few days ago. They are comprehensive and interesting. ETA: There will not be as many, if any, free ticket giveaways this season. Do not expect 11K + attendance this year unless folks pay for a ticket....
http://www.sunshinesoccernews.com/teams/strikers2.php?article_id=4916 March 6, 2016 STRIKERS Down Sichuan Longfa 6-0 in China
Fort Lauderdale Strikers 2016 ROSTER:GOALKEEPERS: Diego Restrepo (Metropolitanos FC/VEN), Bruno Cardoso (Palmeiras/BRA), Matias Reynares (Defensor Sporting/URU). DEFENDERS:Gabriel (Universitario/PER), Aurelio Saco Vertiz (Cienciano/PER), Luis Zapata (Free Agent), Nana Attakora (San Antonio Scorpions), Gale Agbossoumonde (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Julius James (San Antonio Scorpions) MIDFIELDERS:Manny Gonzalez, Christian Blandon, Victor Pineda (Indy Eleven), Neil Hlavaty (Carolina RailHawks), Adrianinho (Ponte Preta/BRA), Kleberson (Indy Eleven), Luis Felipe(Cruzeiro/BRA), Jean Alexandre (Negeri Sembilan FA/MLS) FORWARDS:Jose Angulo, Geison Moura (Minnesota United FC), Giuseppe Gentile (San Antonio Scorpions), Maicon Santos (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Matheus Carvalho (Monaco/FRA). -----------------------------------DEPARTED: GOALKEEPERS:Lionel Brown (Miami FC), Joe Nasco, David Meves (Puerto Rico FC). DEFENDERS: Frankie Sanfilippo (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Karsten Smith, Daniel Navarro. MIDFIELDERS:Walter Ramirez (Tampa Bay Rowdies), Shawn Chin (Ottawa Fury), Evans Frimpong, Marlon Frietas (Fluminense/BRA, Loan Return), James Marcelin (Carolina RailHawks) FORWARDS:Stefano Pinho (Minnesota United FC), Bruno Nunes.
Just curious, I'm not trying to be combative in anyway but what impact has Ronaldo brought exactly? I mean did he bring in players , sponsors and money or did he invest a lot of his own money into the team?
Good question. Try listening to "The Tailgate Show" podcast tonight on blogtalk radio. They have Luis Cuccatti, the Strikers Managing Director, on board as their kudio guest tonight. If they don't ask him that you can call in and ask him at 1-(713) 955-0711. He may be very closed mouth about this years uniforms, but he is usually very open about things pertaining to the team.
http://sbisoccer.com/2016/03/sbi-nasl-preview-fort-lauderdale-strikers SBI NASL Preview: Fort Lauderdale Strikers March 26, 2016 11:40 am ET
Dave LaMont, Thomas Rongen Highlight Broadcast Team For Strikers In 2016 Former Fort Lauderdale Strikers player and coach Thomas Rongen returns to Fort Lauderdale as color analyst as the club announced Tuesday its broadcast team for the upcoming 2016 NASL season. Rongen will be joined in the broadcast booth by the respected South Florida play-by-play commentator Dave LaMont. http://www.nasl.com/news/2016/03/29...highlight-broadcast-team-for-strikers-in-2016
Anyone local know how the home opener ticket sales are going so far? IIRC last year they had well over 10k for the opening crowd. How's the buzz about the team?
No idea. The FO says they expect 17K. I don't think so. They have not poured free tickets to the Brazilian communities in Broward like last year. I'll be happy with something around 7K.
Everything but Ronaldo & the new uniforms. As I remember Ronaldo was instrumental in getting the China trip - the Chinese paid for all of it - and starting at least one academy in Broward with possibly another on the way. He has also brought team exposure to Brazil and Europe. He's also supposed to be helping to bring teams here during the summer break.